Waveguide connector

ABSTRACT

A connector for use with waveguides includes a tubular element having an inner periphery of a shape which allows the element to be placed about one end of a waveguide and which permits tilting movement of the element between a first position in which its axis is concentric with that of the waveguide and a second position in which its axis is at an angle to that of the waveguide. Interengaging means are formed on the interior periphery of the tubular element for locking with corresponding means formed in the exterior periphery of the waveguide when the element is moved from the first position to the second position.

nited Patent [72] Inventors Gerhard Hirsch;

Herbert Berth, Backnang, Wurtt, Germany [21 1 Appl. No. 856,737 [22] Filed Sept. 10, 1969 [45] Patented Apr. 20, 1971 [73] Assignee Teleiunken Patentverwertungsgesellschaft m.b.1-l. Ulm Danube, Germany [32] Priority Oct. 31, 1968 [33] Germany [31] P 18 06 361.1

[S4] WAVEGUIDE CONNECTOR 287/103 (A), 103, 109; 285/414, 368, 412, 398, 400,401 (Digest 2); 279/89; 269/181; 138/155; 248/410 Primary Examiner-Herman Karl Saalbach Assistant ExaminerWm H. Punter Attorney-Spencer and Kaye h 1 ABSTRACT: A connector for use with waveguides includes a tubular element having an inner periphery of a shape which allows the element to be placed about one end of a waveguide and which permits tilting movement of the element between a first position in which its axis is concentric with that of the waveguide and a second position in which its axis is at an angle to that of the waveguide. Interengaging means are formed on the interior periphery of the tubular element for locking with corresponding means formed in the exterior periphery of the waveguide when the element is moved from the first position to the second position.

PATENTEB APR20 |97l Fig-4 lnventom, Gerhard Hirsch Herbert Berh wavnouma (IONNIECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INV ENTION This invention relates to connector elements for waveguides, and more particularly to such an element having interengaging means for locking with engaging means which may be readily formed on the end of the waveguide at an installation site whereby waveguides can be easily cut to size and connected together.

Waveguides were once generally formed by prefabrication methods in which waveguides were formed in a shop in sections of an appropriate length to fit a particular installation. The waveguides were generally formed with connecting structure at their ends. At the installation site the flanges were joined together by welding, soldering, or gluing, or by the insertion of segments.

In recent years waveguides have been designed which can be wound upon a drum, and which can be cut to size to fit a particular installation. It is still necessary to form a connecting structure for joining sections together.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a connector element which can be used to join waveguide sections cut to length on the installation site. The connector is so designed that the waveguide end can be readily formed with appropriate interengaging means at the site which can lock with the connector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, these and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a connector element of tubular shape which may be easily fitted over the end of a waveguide section, and 'whose' interior has interengaging means which will fit with corresponding means formed on the exterior of a waveguide. The connector interior is shaped so that it may be pivoted for movement between a first position in which its axis is concentric with that of the waveguide and a second position in which its axis is at an angle to that of the waveguide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a sectional view on a diametral plane extending through a waveguide and a connector according to the present invention, the connector being shown in a tilted position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view somewhat similar to FIG. 1, but showing the connector in its engaging position in which the connector is concentric with the waveguide.

FIG. 3 is an end view of a connector and a waveguide according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of one end of a waveguide formed with grooves for locking with the connector of the present invention.

FIG. 5a is a transverse sectional view taken through a waveguide formed with grooves for the engagement with a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5b is a transverse sectional view through a waveguide formed with grooves for engagement with a connector according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5c is a transverse sectional view through a waveguide formed with grooves for engaging with a connector according to still another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings a high-frequency line 1 which may be a waveguide has upper grooves 5 and lower grooves 7 cut in its exterior adjacent one of its ends. A connector element 3 has a tubular portion formed to fit about the exterior of the waveguide. Its interior is formed with faces M, M which are parallel to an axis l8 which is offset at an angle with respect to the axis 16 of the connector element. These surfaces have an appropriate shape to permit a tilting movement of the connector 3 relative to the waveguide 1 when it is placed about it.

An upper ledge 4 is formed in the form of a rib which protrudes from the interior of the connector. It is of appropriate shape to engage within the upper groove 5. The lower end of surface 14 is formed as a ledge 8 to serve as a pressure surface for engaging a corresponding surface 9 within the lower grooves 7.

The surfaces 14 and 14 are formed so as to be generally parallel to an axis 18 which is offset at an angle to the axis 16 of the tubular portion of the connector 3. These surfaces are shaped so that the contact surface 6 between the upper groove 5 and the lower groove 7 serves as the pivot point for tilting movement of the connector. The lower groove 7 is wider, in an axial direction than the upper groove 5 in order to provide sufficient room for the necessary tilting movement.

A flange 20 is integral with and extends radially outward from the tubular portion 15 of the connector 3. This flange carries holes 22 which are formed about axes parallel to the axis 16 of the connector. Bolts can be passed through these holes 22 to join the connector to other connectors or to another appropriate structure thereby holding the waveguide I to any desired structure.

A seal 10 is mounted in a recess 11 formed within the radial face 2ll of flange 20 to protect the interior of the waveguide from the entrance of moisture. An additional seal 12 is mounted in a recess 13 provided at the upper end of the tubular portion I5. This protects the space between the waveguide and the connector from the entry of water.

In use a connector 3 is fitted over the end of the waveguide I with the connector in a tilted position and the tilted axis 18 of the connector aligned with the waveguide axis 17. This permits the ledge 4 to pass the contact surface 6 and other waveguide surfaces which are aligned with the exterior of the waveguide. Thereafter the waveguide is tilted so that ledge 4 and the ledge 8 can enter into the grooves 5 and 7, respectively. Seals I0 and 12 are inserted in the appropriate recesses. Bolts are passedthrough the appropriate openings 22 in the flange and the flange is joined to another connector or some other appropriate surface so as to transfer pressure onto pressure points located at the bottom surfaces of the ledges and the grooves, i.e., the contact surfaces 6 and 8-9. Thereafter these forces hold the connector to the waveguide or to other desired structures.

FIG. 5a shows grooves 2a which are concentric to the two axes. These grooves may be formed with a lathe or other appropriate turning tool which is rotated with respect to the tube.

FIG. 5b discloses a waveguide having another form of grooves 2b. Grooves 2b have a planar bottom surface. They are formed with a file which is guided by an appropriate jig.

FIG. 50 discloses still another form of grooves 20. These grooves are circular about an axis which is offset with respect to the center axis of the waveguide I.

It will be readily apparent that various types of grooves may be formed for example, sawtooth types, recesses, helical or annular grooves. Moreover, the grooves need only be applied at necessary locations. For example, referring to FIG. 2 it will be noted that the lower groove 7 need not be formed on the left-hand side of the waveguide and the upper groove 5 need only be formed on the right-hand side of the waveguide. If the grooves are formed with the file as in the case of FIG. 5b this would be more convenient, however, if they are formed with a turning tool or lathe as in the case of FIGS. 50 or 5c it would be more convenient to have grooves on both sides of the waveguide.

While ellipsoidal waveguides are illustrated, it will be readily apparent that connectors for use with waveguides of round or other shapes can be readily formed.

It will be understood that the above description of the present invention is susceptible to various modifications, changes and adaptations.

We claim:

1. A connector for use with a tubular waveguide comprising, in combination:

a. a tubular connector element having an inner periphery of a shape which allows the element to be placed about one end of a waveguide and which permits tilting movement of the element between a first position in which its axis is concentric with that of the waveguide and a second position in which its axis is at an angle to that of the waveguide; and

b. interengaging means on the interior of said periphery for locking with corresponding means formed in the exterior periphery of the waveguide when the element is moved from said first position to said second position.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said connector element includes a flange at one end thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said flange has a radial frontal face at one end of said tubular element, and recess means formed in said frontal face for holding a seal.

4. A combination of claim 1 wherein said interengaging means comprise ledge means projecting radially inward from the interior of said tubular element which are shaped to engage with grooves formed in the exterior of a waveguide.

5. The combination of claim 4 including a waveguide engaged with said connector element, said waveguide having concentric grooves formed in its exterior and engaged with said ledge means.

6. The combination of claim 5 including a waveguide engaged with said connector, said waveguide having a plurality of grooves formed in its exterior and engaged with said ledge means, said grooves having a planar bottom and being disposed radially opposite positions and axially spaced from each other along the waveguide.

7. The combination of claim 4 including a waveguide engaged with said connector element, said waveguide having a plurality of grooves engaged with said ledge means, said grooves being of different axial widths formed in its exterior for engaging different ones of said ledge means. 

1. A connector for use with a tubular waveguide comprising, in combination: a. a tubular connector element having an inner periphery of a shape which allows the element to be placed about one end of a waveguide and which permits tilting movement of the element between a first position in which its axis is concentric with that of the waveguide and a second position in which its axis is at an angle to that of the waveguide; and b. interengaging means on the interior of said periphery for locking with corresponding means formed in the exterior periphery of the waveguide when the element is moved from said first position to said second position.
 2. The combination of claim 1 in which said connector element includes a flange at one end thereof.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said flange has a radial frontal face at one end of said tubular element, and recess means formed in said frontal face for holding a seal.
 4. A combination of claim 1 wherein said interengaging means comprise ledge means projecting radially inward from the interior of said tubular element which are shaped to engage with grooves formed in the exterior of a waveguide.
 5. The combination of claim 4 including a waveguide engaged with said connector element, said waveguide having concentric grooves formed in its exterior and engaged with said ledge means.
 6. The combination of claim 5 including a waveguide engaged with said connector, said waveguide having a plurality of grooves formed in its exterior and engaged with said ledge means, said grooves having a planar bottom and being disposed radially opposite positions and axially spaced from each other along the waveguide.
 7. The combination of claim 4 including a waveguide engaged with said connector element, said waveguide having a plurality of grooves engaged with said ledge means, said grooves being of different axial widths formed in its exterior for engaging different ones of said ledge means. 